Why migrants come to Germany for work and then leave again
Germany has long attracted skilled workers to its labor market. The country has been much less successful at retaining them. So what is Germany doing
Germany has long attracted skilled workers to its labor market. The country has been much less successful at retaining them. So what is Germany doing wrong? "Anyone who wants to shape immigration successfully must also understand emigration," Laura Gossner, a researcher in migration and international labor studies with the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), said at a press conference in Berlin. The IAB conducted an online survey of people aged 18 to 65 who had immigrated to Germany before April 2025 and then chose not to stay, asking them what factors influenced their decision to leave the country again. The researchers found that emigration is not driven by any single factor. Family-related reasons, in particular, play a major role. Experiences of discrimination were also cited. Many of the contributing factors, such as bureaucracy, housing and language acquisition, can be influenced by public policy. Labor shortage forces Germany to accept more qualifications To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Who is most likely to leave Germany again? "On average, emigrants are younger," said Theresa Koch, who works as a researcher in migration and the international labor market at IAB. "They have spent less time in Germany and are more likely to have partners and children living abroad. They are also less likely to be proficient in German but more likely to have a good command of English." About 60% of emigrants return to their home countries; 40% move on to destinations such as Spain, Switzerland, Italy and Croatia.
"We are competing with other European countries for skilled workers," said Yuliya Kosyakova, the head of the research department for migration and the international labor market at the IAB. Bureaucracy a main driver of emigration Emigrants criticize well-known things about Germany, especially the lengthy processing times for naturalization applications, residence permits, visas and the recognition of foreign qualifications. They often face long waits for responses from the authorities. High administrative fees are another common source of frustration. A further point of criticism is the lack of support for career development, whether from job centers, local authorities or employers. All of this makes long-term planning, access to employment and a sense of belonging in Germany more difficult, Gossner said. Administrative procedures influence "how immigrants assess their future in Germany. When procedures are perceived as lengthy, confusing or difficult to access, this can affect people's prospects of staying," she added. "We find that immigrants who view such procedures more negatively, on average, are less likely to feel welcome in Germany." Brains, beauty and barriers: the global job market To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video German language is key in German market Tilman Frank, the chairman of the BVIFG federal association to recruit skilled labor (Bundesverband internationale Fachkräftegewinnung e.V.) is also the managing director of TalentOrange GmbH, a company that has recruited and supported thousands of health care and child care workers in Germany.
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